Habayit Hayehudi MK Nissan Slomiansky was named Thursday as the lawmaker implicated in the alleged sexual harassment of at least eight women, Army Radio reported. Senior religious-Zionist rabbis reviewed the issue following a Facebook post in which Habayit Hayehudi activist Chagit Moriah-Gibor claimed she knew of several women who had been harassed by a lawmaker, and urged Slomiansky to suspend himself from his work on various Knesset committees until the matter's conclusion. The rabbis also urged the lawmaker to apologize to the women who say he harassed them. Slomiansky, who chairs the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, denies the allegations against him. "MK Slomiansky never harassed anyone. From meeting with the rabbis, he understood that the cordial manner for which he is famous was at times construed as something else, which he regrets," a statement by the MK's office said. "MK Slomiansky has been a public servant for 40 years, including as a lawmaker, and he will continue to do so." Ultimately, the decision on Slomiansky's future in the Knesset will be determined by his party, Habayit Hayehudi. According to Army Radio, none of the women involved is willing to press charges against Slomiansky, but they have all demanded he resign his seat. MKs from across the political spectrum called on Slomiansky to resign. Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein told Army Radio that "under the circumstances, I urge MK Slomiansky to pursue this matter outside the Knesset. For the Knesset's sake I think this [investigation] should take place outside the house. There are simple ways for him to take a leave [of absence], and if he is proved innocent he can come back with his head held high." Habayit Hayehudi MK Shuli Mualem-Rafaeli called on Slomiansky to suspend himself, saying, "We have to get to the bottom of this. People who sexually harass others have no place in public service." Meretz MK Michal Rozin said, "It would be best if Slomiansky resigns. Publicly acknowledging his actions is a first and mandatory step, but an apology and suspension is not enough. Allowing him to remain in any kind of public office is disgraceful of the Knesset." Meretz Chairwoman Zehava Galon and MK Tamar Zandberg issued a statement saying, "MK Slomiansky is confusing public service with harassment. ... We urge the MK to break the wall of denial and resign sooner rather than later. All Knesset factions, coalition and opposition alike, would be wise to join this call and make it clear that the Israeli parliament is not a shelter for alleged sex offenders."
